Still planning for Spring Break? Consider planning a camping trip with friends. Camping options in the Triangle include Eno River State Park and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. While you’re outdoors, do a day of service and join volunteers for the annual Haw River Clean-Up-A-Thon, Saturday, March 16. Remember: pack-in, pack-out; take only photos; and safety first!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Green Energy Fee Reauthorized by Student Vote
A $4.00 per semester student fee that funds renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus was reauthorized and converted to a permanent fee following the recent student body president runoff election. The referendum passed with 83% approval from voting students, paving the way for many energy projects at UNC. The Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC), a student-led organization, appropriates the funds, and has financed over $1 million worth of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and energy education projects since its inception in 2004. Read more »
University Equipment Exchange Made Easy
The Asset Management Trading Post is an informal online marketplace that allows University employees to find or make available both office and lab equipment. By extending the life of functional equipment, the program helps University departments save money and promotes sustainability and re-use.
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Kenan-Flagler Ranked 3rd for Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics
UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School was ranked 3rd globally for corporate social responsibility and ethics in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2013, in which 155 business schools from 28 countries participated. The annual Financial Times ranking is based on surveys of alumni who graduated in 2009 and data provided by the business schools. Read more »
"Work Well, Live Well" Expo Just Around the Corner
The annual Wellness Expo will be held on March 13 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Rams Head Recreation Center. Organized by the University Wellness Committee, the event will feature interactive exhibits on nutrition, fitness, recreation, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Stop by the Sustainability Office table to learn about choices you can make to sustain health and wellness! Take the Carolina Green Pledge in advance to pick up one of the coveted Carolina Green water bottles, while supplies last. Read more »
Melting Permafrost Could Double Amount of Greenhouse Gas
For the past decade, much of the focus in the Arctic has centered on the rate at which ice is melting and the ecological, social, and economic impacts of that melting. In a new study, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveal that carbon that has been stored in the frozen tundra for thousands of years is creeping up to the surface. This newly exposed carbon could double the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – and profoundly change the trajectory of the climate change debate.
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Volunteers Needed for Art Installation Featuring Recycled Materials
Volunteers are needed to participate in the creation of a large, collaborative installation with Nigerian artist Bright Ugochukwu Eke, UNC’s Hanes Visiting Artist-in-Residence. In conjunction with the “Water in our World” theme, this work will utilize recycled and reassembled materials to explore the political, ethical, and ecological issues of water. This work will be one of three components in the FedEx Global Education Center’s exhibit entitled “The Water of Life: Artistic Expressions,” which opens at 6pm on March 21. Read more »
Fifteen New Hybrid Buses Join Chapel Hill Transit Fleet
More than a third of Chapel Hill Transit’s large buses are now hybrids thanks to a recent acquisition of 15 new hybrid vehicles. The new, diesel-electric buses are powered by an internal combustion, clean diesel engine paired with a generator, electric motor, and electric storage system. The hybrid buses will reduce emissions and save money on fuel. The acquisition was made possible through a $7.47 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration and $1.53 million from the NC Department of Transportation and Chapel Hill Transit Partners (UNC-Chapel Hill, Town of Chapel Hill, and Town of Carrboro). Read more »
UNC Science Expo Features Sustainability Center
The Town of Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Department is collaborating with the NC Science Festival to feature a Sustainability Center at the UNC Science Expo, Saturday, April 13. Organizations committed to sustainable living and education will provide information, demonstrations, and entertainment from 10am-3pm. Exhibitors may apply for space to Stephanie Yeatts.
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Cherokee-McDonough Challenge Supports High Impact Environmental StartUps
The Cherokee-McDonough Challenge identifies, funds, and develops high-impact environmental business ventures. Ventures will receive $20,000 in seed funding and an invitation to participate in an intensive three month accelerator. Apply by April 30. Read more »
Solar Energy Division Graduate Student Award
The Solar Energy Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recognizes outstanding graduate work in solar energy. Graduate students may apply for recognition, $1000, and registration at the ASME 7th Energy Sustainability Conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 14-19. Apply by April 15. Read more »
Social Entrepreneurs Program
The Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneur Program provides financial and business support for entrepreneurs who create quality jobs, produce new products, or devise management strategies to improve the lives of low-wealth individuals. Successful applicants will receive $40,000 over two years, mentoring, and technical assistance to strengthen their business. Apply by March 28. Read more »
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC
Referendum on coal a success at UNC
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Seventy-seven percent of UNC students who voted in a recent referendum agreed with the UNC Sierra Student Coalition that the university should divest its $2.1 billion endowment from the coal industry. More than 4,200 of the students who voted supported the non-binding referendum. The coalition wanted to give university officials a clear picture about how students feel about the university’s investments in the coal industry, which the student coalition places at about $100 million.
Read more »
Thorp honored with first Nourish International Impact Award
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Over the group’s signature Hunger Lunch of beans, rice and cornbread on Tuesday, Nourish International presented its first Impact Award to Chancellor Holden Thorp of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The group honored Thorp, and co-founder Sindhura Citineni, as part of the celebration of its 10th anniversary. Thorp was recognized for his work with innovation and student entrepreneurs. Nourish International began at UNC as Hunger Lunch, founded by students Citenini and Joel Thomas in 2003. The students sold an inexpensive meal of rice, beans and cornbread and used the profits to fund a nutrition initiative in Hyderabad, India.
Read more »
Christie won't consider climate change in rebuilding after Sandy; scientists say he should (Blog)
The Philadelphia Inquirer
While scientists acknowledge that evidence doesn't yet exist to say climate change caused Sandy, they do know that sea levels are rising - maybe an additional four feet in New Jersey by 2100, according to a Rutgers University estimate. Research also shows that climate change may be making storms more intense. That means that, if there's another storm surge of the kind that swept houses off foundations during Sandy, even more water may rush ashore. All of this must be evaluated before the state rebuilds, scientists say. "How do you balance those issues, when there's intensive pressure to show that you're taking decisive action to help alleviate community suffering?" asked Gavin Smith, who runs the Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters at the University of North Carolina. "It's very difficult, but it happens routinely." Smith has worked on storm recovery for two governors and is sympathetic to Christie's plight. He knows that making "hazard mitigation" part of disaster recovery is "not as sexy" as repaving roads, reopening schools, and restarting electricity.
Read more »
Harnett County farmer uses hog waste to create renewable energy
News 14
Carolina
Farmer Tom Butler of Butler Farms, located an hour southeast of Raleigh, traps methane gas, a byproduct of hog waste, in order to create renewable energy. ...Most hog farmers keep the waste in open pits called lagoons, where the methane escapes. UNC professor Mike Aitken says the farm industry has not adopted technology to deal with this pollution. “We still manage most waste, including hog waste, in a way that we were dealing with human waste over a century ago. We have never entered the 20th century with animal waste management, never mind the 21st century," said Aitken.
Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Carolina Competes in Environmental March Madness
UNC has been selected as a “Sustainable 16” school in the Enviance March Madness Environmental Tournament! Help UNC advance to the next round, the “Environmental 8,” by submitting a short video, essay, or photos highlighting UNC’s environmental curriculum and sustainability achievements. Entries are due by March 8. Participating students with the most compelling supporting materials at “Finest 4” schools can score a tablet. Follow tournament updates @EnvironmentUNC and learn about submission details.
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